Think back on the days before the start of the 2021 baseball season and ask yourself, just how many Red Sox did you expect at the All Star Game this summer? Odds are, you may have guessed one or two.
But this year’s Red Sox team has been a revelation all around. So it seems only fitting that Red Sox Nation was pleasantly surprised to find five Boston players heading to Colorado for the 91st Midsummer Classic. The Sox have more All Stars this season than any other Major League team: Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers, J.D. Martinez, Matt Barnes and Nathan Eovaldi.
For Boston, it’s the second time in the last three All-Star Games that they are sending at least five players to the Midsummer Classic. The club record for most selections is eight in 1946. On three occasions since 2000 Boston was limited to just one All-Star, most recently in 2015. In franchise history, Hall of Famers Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski had the most selections (18 each).
Breaking down the rosters
There are 34 first-time All-Stars in 2021, including Devers, Barnes, and Eovaldi.
Overall, 22 internationally-born players made the All-Star roster, including seven from the Dominican Republic, more than any other country of the world. The youngest All-Star is first-timer Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. (22 years old). Angels superstar Mike Trout earned is eighth consecutive nod. It’s his ninth career selection, the most of any player in this year’s event.
Former Red Sox Mookie Betts, Craig Kimbrel, and Mark Melancon were also chosen for the National League roster.
Kevin Cash, manager of the 2020 American League Champion Rays, will manage the AL team at this year’s All-Star Game. Cash, who played for the Red Sox in 2007-08, selected his former manager, Terry Francona, for the All-Star coaching staff. Dodgers manager and all-time Red Sox hero Dave Roberts will manage the NL team.
The MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard will be on July 13, and televised live by FOX Sports.